On the (hot) opening day of Milwaukee's French-themed festival, Bastille Days lit it up. Literally. The replica Eiffel Tower glittered just as brightly on the north side of Cathedral Square (it was relocated to accommodate streetcar construction). The Pfister Hotel illuminated its exterior with red, white and blue lights. And runners who "stormed the Bastille" wore rainbow light-up bracelets.

An estimated 5,000 runners faced stifling July heat to run or walk the 5-kilometer race just before 9 p.m. The Storm the Bastille course meanders through the East Town neighborhood and downtown then goes through the Third Ward and back to Bastille Days. Some people finished the race, some people made beer stops along the way — both options are in the spirit of the race.

The Extra Crispy Brass Band and Robin Pluer are yet to perform. And then France is playing in the World Cup finals Sunday morning at 10 a.m. against Croatia. It's Croatia's first time in the finals, and France hasn't been since it won in 1998.